Brazil · HISTORICAL TOURS
Gold-rush churches, a slave-trade wharf rediscovered under a car park, an emperor’s palace in the hills. These 15 are compared on ground covered, guiding and price.
Spend four hours tracing Rio’s past through XV de Novembro Square, Cinelândia, and the Carioca Aqueduct before heading uphill to Santa Teresa. With hotel pickup, multilingual guides, and a stop at Parque das Ruínas, this tour gives you history, art, old streets, and Guanabara Bay views in one compact outing.
“Great tour with Romeu, a true guide telling us about the history of Brasil.”
Ride 9 to 12 miles through São Paulo with UrbanBikeSP, starting at Portinha183 Café in Vila Mariana. Visit Paulista Avenue, MASP, Trianon Park, Copan, Luz Station, Pátio do Colégio, Sé Cathedral, and Liberdade. English, Spanish, and Portuguese-speaking guides lead groups of up to 10, with bikes, helmets, water, snacks, and a souvenir included.
“The guide Arhur was fantastic. He was very friendly, very informative and obviously very passionate about the city São Paulo. He took lots of photos and videos and ensured safety using his phone instead of getting his out. Great way to see a section of the city.”
Leave Curitiba around 7:00 a.m. for a train ride through the Serra do Mar to Morretes, with onboard snacks and bilingual commentary in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. You’ll tour Morretes, eat traditional barreado beside the Nhundiaquara River, visit Hisgeopar, briefly see Antonina, and return by road.
“Gostei bastante, vale a pena fazer o passeio, pena que o trem parou 4x, atrasando a chegada de 12h para as 14h”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the Rio Art Museum for a 150-minute walk through Little Africa. Learn about slavery, samba, Afro-Brazilian food, and local cultural figures while visiting Pedra do Sal, Valongo Wharf, and the Hanging Garden of Valongo. Guides include Nathalia, Luana, Larissa, Eddie, Marina, and Ryane.
“Nathalia is a smart young lady who is very knowledgeable about the historic events that involved the African community in Rio. She is also passionate about her roots and was able to answer some sensitive and dilemmatic questions that the tour group had in a very heartfelt and sensible manner. Nathalia also gave good recommendations for places to eat in and hang out (in Little Africa and other spots in Rio) after the tour and most of the tour participants, including myself, even ended up having lunch together at a wonderful restaurant serving delicious bobõ de camarão (shrimp stew) and mamata. I highly recommend this tour with Nathalia. She's fantastic.”
Meet your van in Foz do Iguaçu around 4:30 p.m. and head to the Triple Frontier Landmark for river views, sunset, cultural shows, and free time. See the Brazilian, Argentine, and Paraguayan obelisks, glimpse the Integration Bridge, and pass the Yup Star Ferris wheel. Dinner at Cabeza de Vaca is optional.
“The show and the location were excellent. We had a very good driver named William. It would have been great if they spoke in English as well”
Spend about three and a half hours tracing Rio’s Afro-Brazilian story from Santa Rita Church to Valongo Wharf, Pedra do Sal, and Largo da Prainha. Guides such as Carolina, Rafael, and Malu lead the walk, with museum visits and a short VLT ride included. Expect serious history, thoughtful discussion, and plenty of walking.
“Emily this was the best tour I have been on across continents and travels in the last 15 years. The knowledge and passion for Rio’s history and the history of black people in Rio was so interesting, inspiring and Marianne’s sharp mind, wit, depth and knowledge shone. My husband was entranced and isn’t normal that keen on history but loved this tour, it brought Rio to life, helped see beyond the obvious and feel connected to a place we have never visited before. I felt safe to ask even the most obvious question and we visited a part of Rio no guide book would have directed us to. Loved it,…”
Walk Paraty’s cobbled historic centre for 90 minutes with a local guide such as Thiago, covering colonial history, Indigenous peoples, Freemasonry, and the town’s gold, sugar, coffee, and pau-brasil cycles. Finish at a local bar with a free taste of Gabriela, a sweet cachaça flavored with honey, clove, and cinnamon.
“Thiago provided a very informative tour and he answered all questions that were asked. It was a very enjoyable tour and I learnt a lot. thanks”
Join Giuliano for a two-hour English walking tour through central São Paulo. In a group capped at 10, you’ll see Edifício Copan, the Municipal Theatre, Pátio do Colégio, Sé Cathedral, and Liberdade, while learning how immigration, coffee, art, and politics shaped the city.
“Really excellent walking tour of some of the older parts of Sao Paulo. Pace was excellent, lots of stops to take photos, ask questions and toilets at two of the stops. Giuliano was really engaging, full of interesting information and obviously passionate about Sao Paulo and Brazil. I would love to take more tours with him if I come back to Brazil.”
Walk through Rio’s historic center with a private guide, starting at the Municipal Theater and ending at Paço Imperial. You’ll see Cinelândia, Selarón Steps, Lapa’s arches, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Largo da Carioca, and Confeitaria Colombo. Guides such as Rafael and Danielle have led engaging history-focused walks, and the route can be adjusted to suit your interests.
“Amazing, friendly and very informative walk around the historical center of Rio! 5 / 5 stars! Thank you!”
Spend about four hours exploring downtown Rio with a local guide, visiting Candelária Church, São Bento Monastery, Mauá Square, the Imperial Palace, Confeitaria Colombo, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Hotel pickup and drop-off serve most hotels in São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana. Guides such as JB, Melanie, and André tailor the walk when group size allows.
“Highlights include Benedictine Chapel with amazing art work and the beautiful Portuguese Library both in down town.”
Spend about eight hours exploring Ilhota, Blumenau, and Pomerode from Balneario Camboriu. You’ll see German-style architecture, Oktoberfest country, local shops, and Pomerode’s traditional food culture. Guides such as Fabio, Fernando, Rosana, Jilson, and Junior have led this route, with explanations available in Portuguese and sometimes Spanish.
“La ciudad de Blumenau no me gustó porque me pareció una ciudad con algunos “detalles” germánicos. Pero Pomerode es muy bonita, parece más aldea, y tenía muchos adornos navideños.”
See a side of Rio beyond Copacabana on a four-hour guided tour through Porto Maravilha and the historic center. Visit the interactive Museum of Tomorrow, São Bento Monastery, Olympic Boulevard, Cais do Valongo, Praça Quinze, and Confeitaria Colombo. Hotel pickup is available from key South and West Zone hotels, with guides in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
“We had a great time on this tour. It is a half day tour so it felt like a perfect amount of time to spend if you are not looking for an activity that takes up the whole day. This is a walking tour so keep that in mind when picking out your shoes for the day. We loved getting to see the city and learn some more about the history. Our tour guide was great. It was us and one other couple so we got through the tour pretty quickly. The van picked us up and dropped us back off at our hotel”
Walk from Praça Castro Alves through Salvador’s historic center and Pelourinho with a live guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. See Rio Branco Palace, Lacerda Elevator, Cruz Caída Square, and São Francisco Church, with time for cultural stories, local tastes, and views over the ocean. Groups are limited to 10.
“Maria è una guida molto brava e professionale, ha tarato il tour sui miei interessi e curiosità. Bellissima esperienza ! Grazie”
Spend nine hours touring Florianópolis with a Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Praça XV, the Cathedral, Public Market, Hercílio Luz Bridge, Joaquina Beach, Barra da Lagoa, Jurerê Internacional, and Santo Antônio de Lisboa. The tour includes transport and guide service, but not meals or drinks. Beatriz is one guide named in the tour’s feedback.
“eu gostei de tudo. porém gostaria que a empresa nos pa pegasse no hotel pois tivemos que ir a um ponto de encontro. ooupróximo do nosso hotel pois tivemos que gastar com uber para chegar ao ponto de encontro e para voltar para ao nosso hotel”
Walk Florianópolis with Isaac or another multilingual local guide, tracing Indigenous, Portuguese, and African influences from the cathedral to the Public Market. Expect clear history, art, local snacks, beer stops, practical bar tips, and a friendly international group. Food and drinks cost extra.
“Nice tour with knowledgeable (and great English) guide, recommend!”
Pick a summit, a coast or a waterfall.
